According to the National Institutes of Health, the earliest successful spinal fusions occurred in the 1950s. Doctors have continually refined neck and spinal surgery since then to improve outcomes and reduce recovery time. Many corrective surgeries for neck and spine ailments are now considered fully safe and effective. Are you searching for spinal surgeons near me?

At Howell Allen Clinic, our central Tennessee clinics treat a wide range of neck and spine conditions. Read on to learn three important things to know about a back and spine doctor. 

1. Neck and Spine Doctors Can Treat Nerve Damage

Many of our patients seek treatment and surgery to address numbness, weakness, and tingling in their extremities (toes, legs, arms, and hands). Those undesirable sensations are often signs that there is a problem with the middle back or lower back.

The nerves that connect your brain to those areas of your body run through the spine. If the spine is compressed or injured, that can lead to sensations in the extremities of the body. Those nerve issues could be felt as a weakness that leads your foot to give out while walking, for example.   

During your visit to one of our Middle Tennessee clinics, a back and spine doctor will examine your body for signs of bone spurs, narrowing of the spinal canal, or other causes of your symptoms before describing your treatment options.    

2. Spinal Surgeons Can Treat Persistent Back Pain

Nearly 65 Americans at any given time experience back pain. Not all spinal problems lead to pain at the site of the injury but many do. A slipped disc, for example, often causes significant pain near the damaged disk.

Persistent pain can also come from osteoarthritis. Over time, the condition causes loss of cartilage. Rubbing of the compromised areas of the spine can lead to neck and back pain.

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become brittle. The condition is generally related to aging. Over time, osteoporosis can lead to bone fractures 

Any injury that leads to persistent pain can be a long-term cause of back pain. Another possible cause of persistent back pain is muscle or ligament strain. Only spine experts can prescribe physical therapy or another treatment for persistent back pain. 

No matter the cause of your back pain, the experienced surgeons of Howell Allen Clinic can diagnose and treat the cause of your discomfort.

3. A Spinal Surgeon Can Address Bowel or Bladder Problems

Some spine and neck problems can lead to numbness or tingling in the groin area. Men and women may lose the ability to have normal bowel movements. This can be a sign of cauda equina syndrome, which results from compression on the nerves located at the base of the spinal.

Find the Best Spinal Surgeons Near Me

You do not have to live with persistent back pain and other spine ailments. Once you work with the best spinal surgeons near me, one of the specialists at Howell Allen Clinic can prescribe effective treatments or surgery that provide relief from your condition or injury. 

Take the first step toward recovery. Once you fill out our online contact form, a member of our team will connect you with the right neck doctor so you can enjoy a restored quality of life.